The Enemy of my Enemy

The Proposition

Of those that had escaped the Room of Requirements the night before had made it back to their common rooms in one piece, Mason and Astoria had got so caught up in the commotion that they ended up spending the night in the Slytherin common room, especially since Daphne refused to leave Astoria out of her sight, and Theo made the executive decision that, while Teddie was elsewhere, Mason was his responsibility.

Teddie, who had been caught by Malfoy and hauled off to Dumbledore's office by Umbridge along with Harry, didn't return to the common room until late, and even then, she was escorted back by Professor Snape. He gave a dark, cold look that told her she was not out of trouble with him, and then left her alone beside the fireplace.

She stayed awake for a long while before climbing the staircase to the girls' dormitory and falling asleep on top of the covers, and still fully clothed.

The next day dawned and with it came several horrible changes. When she arrived in the common room in the morning, Teddie was ambushed by Mason, his arms tightening around her waist and squeezing as she patted his back comfortingly.

"We thought you had been caught," said Mason, withdrawing from the hug. "What happened? Where did you go?"

"I did get caught," Teddie said, sliding into the black leather couch. "Harry and I were the last to leave the Room of Requirements. We tried to run for it, but Malfoy caught us with a Trip Jinx, and them Umbridge hauled us off to Dumbledore's office."

Daphne pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "What happened?" she asked, resting her chin on the tops of her knees. "I'm guessing since you're still here that you aren't expelled?"

"Why would Dumbledore expel her?" Astoria asked. "Personally, I think he would understand why we did what we did."

Teddie sighed and lowered her gaze. Her mind racing with images of the night before, and the consequences the D.A. group would now have for Hogwarts. Her concerns about calling the group Dumbledore's Army had come to pass last night, but it was too late then, and it was definitely too late now to do anything about it.

"Ted?" Mason asked, drawing Teddie out of her thoughts. "You okay?"

"I'm sorry," Teddie said, her voice quiet.

"Sorry?" Theo asked. "Why?"

"I got you involved in the D.A.," said Teddie. "Everything that follows last night's actions is my fault. You're going to be punished for my mistakes."

Her friends shared concerned looks and Mason lay his head on her shoulder. "We all made our own choices," he said. "Whatever happens next is all our fault, not just yours."

"Yeah. Besides, like I said, Dumbledore isn't going to punish us," said Astoria. "He wants us prepared for what's to come, doesn't he?"

Teddie swallowed hard and shook her head. "I wish it were that simple, Tori," she said. "But Dumbledore's not here anymore."

The silence that followed her words were deafening. The only sound was the crackling of the flames in the grate.

~X~

- BY ORDER OF -

The Ministry of Magic

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-Eight.

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